/0/67342/coverbig.jpg?v=5f4f3158b770b029c2b3848b1a0e2283)
Bound by a contract, torn by the past, and tested by fate--is a second chance at love worth fighting for? Vanya Moon never imagined she would marry the man who once broke her heart. But when Rex Patterson, a billionaire with icy charm, offers a deal to save her brother's failing business, she has no choice. Their marriage is strictly business, yet old feelings resurface-passion, pain, and a love neither can forget. As hidden truths emerge and family pressures mount, their fragile bond is tested. When Rex discovers Vanya's secret-twin sons he never knew-he must fight to win her trust and reclaim their love. Will their second chance be enough to heal the wounds of the past?
The scent of vanilla candles filled the air, mingling with the faint aroma of the chocolate cake Vanya Moon had baked herself. The dining table in her small apartment was decorated with gold balloons and streamers. A carefully wrapped box sat in the center, containing the custom watch she'd spent months saving for.
Tonight, she had everything planned. It wasn't just Rex Patterson's birthday-it was the night she was going to tell him their lives were about to change forever.
She glanced at her reflection in the mirror one last time, smoothing down her navy-blue dress. A tiny flutter of nerves tickled her stomach, but she brushed it aside. Rex loved her. She was certain of it.
Her phone buzzed, interrupting her thoughts.
"Are you on your way?" she asked, her voice filled with excitement.
There was a pause. "I'll see you soon," Rex said, his tone oddly curt. Before she could ask what was wrong, the line went dead.
*********
THREE HOURS LATER
The candles had burned halfway down, the cake untouched. Vanya's excitement had given way to confusion, then worry. She dialed Rex's number again, but it went straight to voicemail.
Her phone chimed. She lunged for it, hoping it was him.
It wasn't. It was a text.
"Check the kitchen counter."
Frowning, Vanya walked over to find a single envelope propped against the wall. Her name was scrawled across the front in Rex's familiar handwriting.
Her fingers shook as she opened it, dread settling in her chest like a stone.
"Vanya, I can't do this anymore. Please don't look for me. I'm sorry. -Rex"
She blinked, reading it again, then again, hoping the words would change.
"What...?" she whispered, her breath hitching.
She grabbed her phone, redialing his number. This time, the robotic voice on the other end crushed her hope entirely: "The number you are trying to reach is no longer in service."
"No," she whispered, shaking her head. "No, no, no!"
Her heart pounded as she grabbed her coat and keys, her mind a blur of questions and fears.
*********
The imposing iron gates to Rex's estate were as cold and unyielding as the security guards standing in front of them.
"I need to see Rex," Vanya said, desperation lacing her voice.
The taller of the two guards shook his head. "Mr. Patterson left strict instructions not to let anyone in."
"Not anyone! I'm his girlfriend!" she snapped, clutching the bars of the gate.
"I'm sorry, ma'am," the guard replied, his tone firm but not unkind.
Vanya stepped back, tears stinging her eyes. "Please," she begged. "I need to talk to him. There's been a mistake."
"There's nothing I can do."
Her knees felt weak, but she refused to let them buckle. She stared at the mansion in the distance, her chest heaving with sobs. The man she loved, the man who had promised her forever, had disappeared without an explanation.
Her trembling hand fell to her stomach as she felt more than the pain of heartbreak.
*********
FIVE YEARS LATER
The sound of clinking glasses filled the conference room as Vanya Moon exchanged firm handshakes with the investors seated around the table. She exuded calm confidence in her tailored black blazer, but beneath her polished exterior, the pressure of the moment weighed heavily.
"Thank you for your time, gentlemen," she said, her tone crisp.
The investors nodded, but their expressions were hesitant. They'd heard the whispers about MoonTech's financial troubles, and the doubts in their eyes made it clear that Vanya had a steep hill to climb.
As the room emptied, her younger brother Damon leaned closer to her, his face etched with worry.
"Vanya, you don't have to do this anymore," he said, his voice low. "You've already sacrificed so much for me-for the company. It's not your responsibility to fix this."
She turned to him, her dark eyes blazing with determination. "You think I'm just going to walk away?"
"Vanya-"
She cut him off, gripping his hand tightly. "Listen to me, Damon. I'm not giving up until you're debt-free, even if it means I have to-"
Her words were interrupted by the sound of the TV in the corner of the room.
"Breaking news," the anchor announced. The screen cut to a photo of a man with sharp features, perfectly styled hair, and a smirk that made Vanya's stomach churn.
Rex Patterson.
Her breath hitched as the image flashed across the screen. The voice of the anchor continued, oblivious to the storm raging inside her.
"Billionaire mogul Rex Patterson is making headlines yet again as investors pour billions into Patterson Empire, citing his unmatched vision and leadership. Sources say this deal could mark one of the largest investments in the company's history."
Vanya stared at the screen, her pulse pounding in her ears. Rex looked smug and untouchable, his wealth and power on full display for the world to see.
Her grip on the edge of the table tightened as a bitter resolve hardened in her chest.
"Vanya," Damon said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You've done enough. You don't have to-"
She cut him off, her voice firm and unwavering.
"Even if it means I have to dine with the devil himself."
She was betrayed, reborn, and given a second chance-not for love, but for justice. Will her vengeance consume her, or will she rewrite her destiny? Betrayed by her mate and best friend, Lira's life ends in a pool of her own blood and broken dreams. Her mate's rejection and the loss of her unborn child shatter her soul. In her dying breath, she calls upon the Moon Goddess for justice. The goddess answers, granting her rebirth-but not as the weak mate she once was. Now reborn as Nora Moonblood, Luna to ruthless and fearsome Alpha of their pack, Lira must navigate a web of loyalty, revenge, and new love. With her past life's memories intact, she sets out to unravel shocking truths about her past, her death, her present and forge a path of vengeance. Will she bring her betrayers to justice or find healing in her new life?
Elisa watched as the most important people in her life showered the evil imposter-The fake heiress, with love. Elisa, the lost daughter of one of the most wealthiest family was found 18 years later and was brought back to her rightful home. However, someone had already taken her place. A fake heiress, the pampered little princess. Her coy acting and innocent façade made Elisa's real mother love her more than Elisa, her real daughter. That made Elisa, though, the true daughter end up as an adopted child. "Elisa, could you try not to appear in front of her too much as it could trigger her insecurities." Her parents had told her because of the fake heiress. "Elisa, You've taken everything away from her. Why can't you give her a little more?" Her fiancé had ordered her. Because of an unfortunate accident plotted by Isabelle-The fake heiress, Elisa was sent to prison and her family cut ties with her without a second thought. Four years, after much torture which led to her being crippled and blind on one eye, she was released, but got hit by a truck. While laying on the pool of her blood, she wanted to question, Why? Why had they all treated her so cruelly, while they love Isabelle unconditionally? She badly wanted to rip off Isabelle's mask of innocence, to reveal the fake, manipulative woman beneath. She was full of hatred. But after her death, she woke up back to when she was 18 years like all that happened were all nightmare. She was elated. She was reborn to re-live all that had happened in her last life, but now, her mission was to reveal mask beneath that woman and make everyone that made her suffer in her past life pay. It was her time for revenge! And definitely, she won't mess this up!
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."
Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, “Do you think you deserve it?” Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, “Marry me?”
In her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."